News
Here we will update you on what had being happening with the two engines.
After all the rubbish was removed a start was made on cutting out all the scrap steel around the cab and bunker. The cab and bunker are very nearly ready. A list of what has been done includes
- removal of all cab floor
- removal of all the bunker
- new cab floor cut and drilled
- new bunker sides fabricated
- new bunker back fabricated
- stripping the cab front down to bare metal and priming
- cutting away and renewal of wasted steel sidesheets
- replacement of rocking lever and ashpan lever floor cover brackets
- new sanding lever bracket fabricated
- restoration of sandbox (three still to follow)
- restoration of sanding levers
- reverser handle and lever cleaned and painted
- removal of all boiler tubes and cleaning of inside boiler
- new cab tool box made including re-use of old lids
- stripping cleaning and priming of window surrounds
- welding in of new section of rear cab bunker baffle
It has taken many man hours to get this far and there is still much to do, bearing in mind that the cab and bunker was so rotten we only had the bunker frame to use as a guide as to where everything went so all the measuring had to be done from this one object, not an easy job. Jobs left to do on the cab and bunker include
-final assembly and painting of cab floor
-final welding of the bunker back and sides
-fabrication of bunker shovel plate and slides and bracing
-fabricate reversing lever cab front cover
-final welding of the cab sides
-overhaul and re assembly of sanding equipment on firemans side
-attaching of cab doors
-overhaul and welding of cab roof
-final sanding and painting of firemans side toolbox and seat
-priming and painting of the frames under the cab on firemans side.
-final painting of cab and bunker
-reassembly of wooden cab floor
Once all these jobs are done we will move onto the next section which will be overhauling the running boards on both sides of the loco. We hope to have the loco looking cosmetically complete for Barrow Hill’s railpower event in august and may even have the electric light system working.
The boiler on the YEC has also been inspected and after hearing many rumours and horror stories we feared the worst however it is not as bad as initially thought. The lower 8 inches of the inner firebox on the left and right hand side need replacement as do 43 firebox stays on each side and also some work on the throatplate. The front tubeplate would see another ten years service however our plan is to go for complete replacement of this item also. There is plenty of work to do on the engine and if you’ve ever fancied getting involved in a project like this get in touch with the CLAG via Barrow Hill roundhouse. Even if you can only offer an hour or two a week it will be warmly welcomed by the group and it doesn’t matter if you have not got a trade or skill our philosophy is the more hands the better. Come on down to the roundhouse and enjoy some camaraderie with CLAG.
